What exactly IS a 'Check Captain'. This is what one of PMDG's Signature Banners says.Rgds,Brandon

It is usually the non-flying pilot (in most cases the Co-Pilot). Just someone who runs the checklists, since the flying pilot can't do both at the same time.Nick B.Continental Airlines Virtual 737NG Pilothttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/800driver.jpg--AMD Athlon XP 3200+ @ 2.2 Ghz (Equal to 2.8 ghz)400W Power supply3x 80 mm Case FansSoyo VIA KT600 Dragon PlusnVidia GeForce FX 5200 128 mb2 x 512 PC400100 GB Western DigitalMicrosoft Sidewinder Precision 2

Surely the 'Check Captain' is a senior pilot who sits in thye jump seat and 'checks' the competency of the pilot flying.

It's actually spelt 'Cheque Captain', because he's the one with the biggest pension.Chris J.

Maybe you should know the facts before you answer?Anyway, firstly let me correct the wrong statements above:the co-pilot (actually called first officer) is not mostly the pilot not flying. Maybe in stone ages of aviation (1960's) but not in the CRM generation! Flying duties are evenly distributed between the crew. Only some very special reasons require the captain to be the pilot flying (CAT II/III ops, special non-normal situations) but then again there are scenarios where the F/O is the only possible pilot flying (again during some non normals, such as instrument failure or control difficulties)And now to return to the original question:a check captain is a specially trained captain that is authorized to view the scenery both from the left and from the right seat. He/she performs line checks and/or sim checks. The job can be quite tough as not only does he/she have to cope with the aircraft from two sides, he/she must also cope with a newbie in the left/right seat. Sometimes, with new F/O's there will be a second F/O (a senior F/O) on the jumpseat to help the new F/O if he/she is overloaded. Unfortunately, that isn't a pretty sight as it may (MAY) cost him/her his/her career.Hope that answers your question!Regards,Mark

While where on the subject, whats the difference between a First Officer and a Second Officer then? Always wondered...

>While where on the subject, whats the difference between a>First Officer and a Second Officer then? Always wondered...Pay :-lol

The rankings (Captain or Commander or Pilot in Command, First Officer, Second Officer etc) are only that. The duties can be different, depending on what aircraft is involved. While the duties of the captain and F/O should be obvious, a second officer can either be the flight engineer (on a B727 or old 747's). A S/O can also be "cruise pilot", common in the States. A cruise pilot is someone who is only authorized to fly the cruise leg. Of course, in an emergency he/she may land the aircraft...A S/O can also be a new first officer if there is a senior first officer on board. The rankding usually just represents exoerience (yes, there are F/O's that are more experienced than captains but theoretically a captain is more experienced than a F/O) and the ranking also represents pay as mentioned above :-)Regards,Mark

Fair enough! Thanks Guys:)

Thanks everybody!:-) Rgds,Brandon